In this Secured bonus soundbite, Colin Cooper, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Illuminate XR, delivers a candid reflection on why many schools struggle to responsibly implement emerging technologies—not because of indifference, but because of exhaustion.

As institutions rush to adopt AI, virtual reality, and personalized learning tools, Cooper argues that speed has too often been mistaken for progress. Policies are written, platforms are deployed, and devices are distributed before educators are given the time, training, or emotional support needed to use them safely and effectively. The result is a widening gap between intention and execution.

Drawing parallels to the early days of social media in education, Cooper warns that AI and VR carry even higher stakes. These technologies don’t just influence behavior—they shape identity. Without ethical frameworks, emotional safeguards, and critical thinking embedded into everyday practice, students are left navigating powerful systems in environments that schools themselves may not fully understand.

Cooper challenges leaders to rethink what innovation really means. True progress, he argues, requires courageous leadership willing to slow down, ask hard questions, and prioritize people over platforms. The goal isn’t simply to use advanced technology—it’s to ensure that its adoption protects, empowers, and supports the students it’s meant to serve.